President Xi Jinping meets Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte in Manila on Tuesday. Xi arrived in the country’s capital earlier in the day, and Duterte hosted a grand ceremony to welcome Xi before their talks. [Photo by FENG YONGBIN / CHINA DAILY]

Xi calls talks with Duterte ‘fruitful’during his state visit to Philippines

China and the Philippines signed 29 cooperation documents covering such areas as trade, investment, finance, agriculture, culture and the Belt and Road Initiative during President Xi Jinping’s state visit to the Southeast Asian country on Tuesday.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by Xi and his Philippine counterpart Rodrigo Duterte in Manila. Duterte hosted a grand ceremony to welcome Xi before their talks and the signing ceremony.

When the two leaders jointly met reporters, Xi said that his talks with Duterte were "friendly, in-depth and fruitful".

President Xi Jinping and his Philippine counterpart Rodrigo Duterte attend a joint press conference after their talks in Manila, the Philippines, Nov 20, 2018. [Photo/Xinhua]

China and the Philippines have lots of common interests in the South China Sea, Xi said, adding that the two countries will continue to manage disagreements and promote maritime cooperation through friendly consultation.

China and the Philippines will work with ASEAN countries to contribute to peace, stability and welfare in the region, Xi said.

The comprehensive strategic cooperative relationship sends a positive signal to the world regarding the China-Philippines friendship, Xi said.

"China and the Philippines must join hands to uphold the interests of the developing world, resist protectionism and unilateralism, and promote peace, stability and prosperity in our region and beyond," Xi said.